Mathematics Knowledge
Yesterday I presented an algebra problem with fractions which involved solving for x.
If ¾ x + 3 = 18, what does x equal? Did you know how to solve this problem?
As an ASVAB tutor, I teach my students the importance of knowing how to work with algebra on the Mathematics Knowledge section of the ASVAB. There are questions on the ASVAB that include algebra with fractions. This question is a combination of both of those topics. This is one of the 15 subtopics that I review in my course and in my book, The ASVAB Tutor’s Mathematics Knowledge Study Guide.
In order to solve this problem, I need to get x by itself.
¾ x + 3 = 18
First I subtract 3 from each side.
¾ x = 18
Then to get x by itself, I need to multiply by the reciprocal of 4/3 on each side
4/3 times 3/4x cancels out just leaving us with x
4/3 x 18/1 = 72/3 which equals 24.
The final answer is x = 24.
Did you know how to solve this problem?
